Top 10 Best Malls in Dubai

Home to around 96 shopping malls, Dubai can undoubtedly be called a shoppers paradise. Besides offering retail therapy, the shopping malls that the city has on offer also feature indoor retail parks, cultural attractions and much more. 

Luxhabitat's list of the 10 best shopping malls in Dubai might help you choose your retail destination the next time you plan to shop. 

1. The Dubai Mall

The largest shopping mall in the world, The Dubai Mall is located in the vibrant community of Downtown Dubai. It is also the most visited shopping mall in the world 

It features over 1,300 retail stores, two anchor department stores, Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale’s and over 200 food and beverage outlets. Boasting a total internal floor area of 5.9 million square feet, the mall hosts brands such as Alexander McQueen, Valentino, Gucci, Chanel and Ralph Lauren.

Besides the array of retail and food outlets, the mall also has on offer a 22-screen cinema, an Olympic-sized ice skating rink and the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, home to thousands of aquatic animals that features a 270-degree walk-through tunnel for a truly immersive experience of the deep sea.

The iconic Burj Khalifa is also located adjacent to The Dubai Mall along with 5-star premium hotels like Address Dubai Mall and Address Boulevard.

2. Mall Of The Emirates

The world's first shopping resort, Mall of the Emirates, boasts a retail floor space of 2.4 million square feet. Located in Al Barsha, the multi-level shopping mall is home to around 630 international brands. 

It features department stores, fashion, lifestyle, sports, electronics and home furnishing outlets and also the largest Carrefour in the city.

Besides shopping outlets, Mall of the Emirates also has on offer a 14-screen cinema, Middle East's first indoor ski resort and snow park - Ski Dubai, a 500-seat capacity Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre (DUCTAC) and more than 90 international dining outlets and cafés.

Adding to the convenience of its guests, the mall also hosts two luxury 5-star hotels, The Kempinski and The Sheraton.

3. Dubai Festival City Mall

Set on the banks of Dubai Creek, Dubai Festival City Mall hosts over 500 brands and stores. It is also home to Dubai's only IKEA, a flagship Zara store, the largest luxury department store, Robinsons and an array of food and beverage outlets.

Visitors can indulge into a number of added attractions in the mall that include an abra ride on the Canal and an 18-screen 7-star cinema experience. One of the key entertainment that the mall has on offer is the combination of dancing fountains and immersive imagery that feature pillars of fire and dramatic soundwaves. The show fuses science, technology and art and has also earned two Guinness World Records.

For the convenience of the guests, Dubai Festival City Mall is home to a number of 5-star luxury hotels that include Crowne Plaza, InterContinental and Holiday Inn. 

4. Ibn Battuta Mall

Named after the Moroccan traveller, Ibn Battuta Mall features six courts that source their inspiration from the regions that the traveller travelled which are Andalusia, Tunisia, Egypt, Persia, India and China. The mall brings together shopping, dining and entertainment with history, culture and a story of remarkable adventure. 

It is home to a wide number of fashion, lifestyle and sporting shops, anchor shops like Debenhams, Geant, Marks & Spencer, Sharaf DG and Decathlon, along with an array of food and beverage outlets. It also hosts a 21-screen cinema that features Hollywood and World Cinema. 

The decor of the beautiful mall features elaborating tiling, a gigantic golden elephant, a high ceiling painted to resemble blue skies and lush outdoor tea gardens. 

5. Burjuman

Located centrally at the heart of Dubai's business and heritage districts of Bur Dubai, BurJuman is home to a number of brands that include luxury watches, perfumes, clothing, among many more.

The mall also hosts a number of food and beverage outlets including Nando’s, Yo Sushi, Pancake House, Asia Kitchen by Mainland China, California Pizza Kitchen and Yellow Chilli.

A 14-screen state-of-the-art cinema also forms a part of BurJuman along with a dedicated cinema for kids.

6. City Centre Deira

City Centre Deira, opened its door for the first time in 1995 and was the first large-scale mixed-use shopping destination to feature retail outlets, restaurants, entertainment facilities and a hotel in the Middle East.

Covering an area of over 123,028 square metres, the mall hosts over 371 retail stores and services and also an array of food and beverage outlets. 

The mall's entertainment facilities include the 20-screen cinema with 3,000 seats. It also provides direct access to the 5-star City Centre Hotel & Residence, managed by Pullman.

7. City Centre Mirdif

City Centre Mirdif is located on Emirates Road and Tripoli Street and features over 430 stores, unique leisure and entertainment attractions and a host of food and beverage outlets. It hosts anchor stores that include Carrefour, Playnation, Debenhams, Emax, Centrepoint and Home Centre.

Covering an area of over 196,000 square metres, it is also home to dedicated community areas, medical clinics, spa, personal grooming facilities and a fitness centre.

For the entertainment of its guests, City Centre Mirdif has on offer a new water-based 'edutainment' recreation facility for children between the age of 2 and 8 years. It also features a 10-screen state-of-the-art cinema.

8. Wafi Mall

Wafi Mall has drawn inspiration from a number of architectural styles like the Egyptian and Turkish and reflects a modern interpretation of the Pharaohs, the epic splendour of which is conveyed through exquisite stained glass, intricate mosaics, carvings and sculptures.

The mall hosts over 350 retail outlets and more than 30 food and beverage outlets. It is also home to Souq Al Murjan which features 150 shops and vendors from across the Arab world.

9. Dubai Marina Mall

Located in the upscale waterfront community of Dubai Marina, Dubai Marina Mall offers its guests with a casual shopping experience and is home to an array of high-street fashion brands, aspirational couture, al fresco dining and a supermarket.

The mall's entertainment facilities include a number of children's entertainment options and a cinema theatre.

A 5-star premium luxury hotel, The Address Dubai Marina Mall adds to the luxury quotient of the mall.

10. Mercato Mall

Mercato Mall, located in Jumeirah, reflects the sights and feel of a Renaissance-era Italian village. The mall is home to a wide number of international retail brands such as Laura Ashley and Jack Wills as well as plenty of bakeries like Cakery Epicerie by Stephane Glacier and Alison Nelson’s Chocolate Bar.

Mercato Mall has also on offer a number of entertainment options for its visitors which include a multi-screen cinema theatre and games for children.